Beyond the quote: What extra costs should you expect when moving?

man and woman opening a box after beeing sure of the hidden costs of moving

The moving day is a stressful day, especially if you’re moving anywhere for the first time. Lots of tasks, a house full of things waiting to be moved out, and you, drenched in sweat, waiting to step into your new home and new life. However, it might all sound like a fairy tale if there weren’t hidden costs when moving that you need to be prepared for.

Today, in this blog, we’ll go through a few key things that can negatively impact your budget if you haven’t prepared well for them. We might help you avoid them, but we’ll definitely prepare you for these types of costs if they’re inevitable.

So, let’s go!

Access to the apartment | Carrying up to stairs it's elevator building?

One of the most important “hidden cost” that people often forget when booking with a moving company is the method of bringing things in or out of the apartment, especially if there are stairs involved.

It’s important to ask the moving company about their policy on stairs and whether they charge extra for carrying items up or down them.

This will help you better organize your budget or, if the situation arises, reduce extra costs when moving.

Special Item Moving

People in New York City often need to move their apartments from one borough to another, which is considered local moving. However, if your apartment contains certain “special” items like a piano, pool table, or artwork, it might cost you a bit more.

Why is that? Moving companies will use a lot of packing materials to secure your piano or pool table, and they’ll also use substantial materials on artwork, especially if it’s highly valuable. That is, in some way, considered a full packing service, so be aware of your estimate provided by the moving company and know about this hidden cost when moving.

If you have items like these in your apartment and need to move within New York City or elsewhere, feel free to call us for a free quote on your move at the best prices.

Moving Plan Changes (Change of Address or Late Cancellation)

The moment you book with a moving company, they’ll likely send you a quote based on the date, address, and inventory you’re moving. However, as we all know, life doesn’t always go according to plan. Unexpected things can happen that change course.
In these moments, if there’s a change of address, an extra stop added to the move, or if you need to reschedule your move date to a different day, the moving costs might be higher than originally agreed upon.

Of course, throughout this process, good communication with your chosen moving company is key to finding the best solution and avoiding extra costs when moving.

Adding Items to Your Existing Inventory List

You’ve called a moving company, discussed your move date with the movers, provided them with a list of belongings and the number of moving boxes you need (or ones you already have prepared), paid a deposit for the move, and then… you remembered there are additional items you didn’t mention.
This might not be a problem if the list of extra things is small and insignificant. However, if it’s a sizable list, the cost may go slightly above the price originally agreed upon before adding the items.

This is understandable since moving companies base their pricing on several factors, including the volume of belongings being moved. Remember to maintain open communication with your moving company to ensure a mutually agreeable outcome and avoid an additional hidden cost when moving.

Last Minute Moves May Cost More

Now we’ll move on to some more general examples of when your moving costs can increase, reminding ourselves of that precious pearl of wisdom: last-minute moving.

Moving companies will try to fit you into their schedule on a specific day, but if your move is tomorrow or you need it done today, the moving company will scramble to find an opening. Naturally, this will cost more due to the short notice and need to organize everything quickly.
Therefore, the best way to avoid this is to prepare your move several weeks in advance so you don’t have to pay more than necessary for the scope of your move. However, if that’s not possible, then same-day or next-day moving is completely understandable.

These are just some examples of hidden cost when movnig, try to avoid them by planning in advance. The more detailed moving, the less headaches and unexpected hidden costs.

Take a Look At What We Have To Say On Topics Like This

How To Save Money On Your Local Move?: We go through several ways to save your money during your local move.

Everything You Need To Know About COI: If you’ve ever considered why you need COI, then this blog is going to explain everything you need to know.

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If you’ve decided on moving with professionals, then you’re only one step from having a magical journey! Get a free quote and enjoy your move with Magical Moving & Storage.

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